You Make Me Real: The Doors’ Morrison Hotel

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel is one of the most iconic albums in rock history. Here’s a look at the making of this classic record.

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel: A Retrospective

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel is considered by many to be one of their best albums. It was released in February of 1970 and was the band’s fifth studio album. The album was a departure from their previous work, which was mostly psychedelic and acid rock. Morrison Hotel was more blues-inspired and focused on shorter, more concise songs. The album was a commercial success, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200.

The making of the album

In late 1969, The Doors released their fourth album, entitled Morrison Hotel. The album marked a change in direction for the band, with a more blues-rock sound than their previous releases. It was also the first album on which keyboardist Ray Manzarek took on a lead vocal role, singing on the tracks “Roadhouse Blues” and “Peace Frog”.

The album was recorded over a three-month period in 1969, with sessions taking place at both Sunset Sound Recorders and Elektra Sound Recorders in Los Angeles. Morrison Hotel was produced by Paul A. Rothchild, who had also produced The Doors’ previous three albums.

Despite its title, Morrison Hotel is not a concept album. However, many of the tracks do deal with themes of darkness and despair, reflecting the state of mind of lead singer Jim Morrison at the time. Morrison was struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, and his health was deteriorating. He would often disappear for days at a time, leading to speculation that he might be dead.

Despite Morrison’s personal difficulties, The Doors managed to produce another successful album with Morrison Hotel. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and included the hit singles “Roadhouse Blues” and “Waitin’ For The Sun”.

The album’s influence

Morrison Hotel is widely considered one of the Doors’ best albums, and is credited with reviving the band’s career after a string of underperforming records. The album’s mix of blues, country, and rock n’ roll styles was emblematic of the band’s willingness to experiment with different genres, and its topicality – especially on the singles “Roadhouse Blues” and “Waiting for the Sun” – reflected the social and political upheaval of the late 1960s.

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel: The Songs

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel is the fifth studio album by the American rock band the Doors, released on February 9, 1970 by Elektra Records. It is considered one of the band’s best albums, and features the singles “You Make Me Real” and “Ship of Fools”.

“Roadhouse Blues”

“Roadhouse Blues” is a song by American rock band the Doors. It was released in 1970 on their album Morrison Hotel and was released as a single the following year. It peaked at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song was written by Doors frontman Jim Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger. It is based on a traditional blues song, but includes elements of soul, gospel, and barrelhouse music. The lyrics are about a hard-living life on the road, and feature Morrison’s signature wordplay.

The song has been praised for its musical style and catchy hook, and has been covered by numerous artists, including Bruce Springsteen, ZZ Top, andPearl Jam.

“Waiting for the Sun”

A classic example of The Doors’ unique brand of psychedelic rock, “Waiting for the Sun” is one of the highlights from the band’s 1970 album Morrison Hotel. Written by lead singer Jim Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger, the song is a tribute to the group’s hometown of Los Angeles, and its lyrics capture the city’s unique mix of sun, smog, and celebrity.

Though it was never released as a single, “Waiting for the Sun” has become one of The Doors’ most popular songs, thanks in part to its distinctive opening riff and Morrison’s ethereal vocal performance. The song has been covered by a number of artists over the years, including George Thorogood and Brian Setzer, and it was included in Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“Peace Frog”

“Peace Frog” is a song by American rock band the Doors, appearing as the fourth track on their 1970 album Morrison Hotel. It was written by guitarist Robby Krieger and frontman Jim Morrison, and was one of two songs on the album produced by Paul A. Rothchild instead of the band’s regular producer, Bruce Botnick.

The song is a criticism of socio-political hypocrisy, with Morrison singing “Blood in the streets / In thefeet / Of men who’ve lost their way”. The final verse makes reference to the Vietnam War, with Morrison singing “Indians scattered on dawn’s highway / Bleeding from a wounded sky”. The Doors performed “Peace Frog” live from 1970 onwards, with live renditions appearing on several posthumous releases.

In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked “Peace Frog” at number 362 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

“Land Ho!”

The first song on side two of the Morrison Hotel album, “Land Ho!”, is a blues-influenced rocker with a driving backbeat. The lyrics, written by Doors lead singer Jim Morrison, are sparse but evocative, painting a picture of the seedy underside of America that was so often hidden from view in the early 1970s. The song’s protagonist is a drifter who “ain’t got no home” and is looking for a place to stay; he eventually finds himself at the Morrison Hotel, which is described as a “fleabag flophouse” where “the winos and the wanderers” go to drink and gamble away their days. Despite its grim subject matter, “Land Ho!” is an energetic and catchy tune that features some of the best musicianship from all four Doors members.

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel: Legacies

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel is remembered as one of the band’s finest works, and it’s no wonder why. The album is full of classics like “Roadhouse Blues” and “L.A. Woman”, and it features some of the band’s most iconic album artwork. The album is also significant for its ties to The Doors’ lead singer, Jim Morrison, who passed away just a few months after its release.

The album’s place in the Doors’ catalog

Morrison Hotel is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Doors, released on February 9, 1970 by Elektra Records. The album is divided into two distinct sides; the first, titled “Hard Rock Cafe”, features a more hard rock-oriented sound, while the second, “Morrison Hotel”, is acoustic and blues-tinged.

The album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It was supported by the singles “You Make Me Real” and “Touch Me”, which peaked at number twenty-five and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 respectively. The album’s artwork depicts a hotelier standing in front of Morrison Hotel.

In 2003, Morrison Hotel was ranked number 371 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2007, it was chosen by Classic Rock as one of the 50 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The album’s place in rock history

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel is widely considered one of the best albums in rock history. Released in 1970, it peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album featured the hit singles “You Make Me Real” and “Peace Frog,” both of which were Top 40 hits. Morrison Hotel is also notable for its dark, bluesy sound, a departure from the more psychedelic sound of The Doors’ previous albums.

Over the years, Morrison Hotel has been praised by many critics and music fans alike. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it #136 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2007, Morrison Hotel was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. And in 2015, it was ranked #2 on Classic Rock Magazine’s list of the 50 Greatest Albums of All Time.

There’s no doubt that Morrison Hotel is a classic album and one of the most important albums in rock history. It’s a must-own for any fan of The Doors or classic rock music in general.